Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan has insisted he will determine when to hang up his cue after withdrawing from the Wuhan Open due to medical issues. He also performed a dramatic about-turn on his previous assertions that emerging players lacked quality. The 49-year-old was scheduled to face Allan Taylor in the first round this week before pulling out, sparking fresh conjecture that his career might be drawing to a close.
This marks yet another competition O’Sullivan has abandoned this year, fuelling retirement concerns. Earlier this year, he left supporters gobsmacked by snapping his cue in two. The man from Essex stands amongst the sport’s all-time greats having secured seven world championships.
Despite worries O’Sullivan might soon call time on his career, he remains in exceptional form following victories in five of his previous seven encounters. Last week, he achieved two maximum 147 breaks in a single match against Chris Wakelin during the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
O’Sullivan is still expected to compete at next month’s English Open and has now dismissed speculation that his illustrious career could be nearing its end.
“I’ve always said I’d be the first to let you know when I’m done, finished or gone or whatever it is,” said The Rocket.
“I was getting written off in 2012 and I played probably my best snooker when I won the World Championship. I did say then: ‘Don’t ever question me. I’ll let you know when I’m done’.”
O’Sullivan had previously insisted he was still competing at the elite level because the calibre of emerging talent had declined, suggesting they would struggle even at grassroots standard.
“If you asked me then [if I thought I’d still be at this level], then no,” he told the BBC at the time. “If you look at the younger players coming through, they’re not that good really.
“Most of them they’d probably do well as half-decent amateurs, not even amateurs they’re so bad. So that’s really why we’re still hovering around, because of just how poor it is.”
However, he performed a stunning U-turn regarding the next generation, acknowledging there were some ‘fantastic players’ which meant he could no longer dominate matches as he once did.
“I’m not done,” he added. “I’m not definitely on a downward curve. At my age playing these youngsters, there are some fantastic players, I’m never going to win like I used to.
“I’m never going to be the favourite for the tournaments. It’s going to be Kyren Wilson, Judd Trump and Zhao Xintong. I’m in that bracket behind where if I play well, I’ve got a chance.
“Maybe rely on one of the top guys to not play well or get beaten. Anything can happen, you know.”
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